Upon reading of the death of Joan Mondale Feb. 3, 2014, L. David Pye, AU Class of 1959 and former dean and professor emeritus of glass, College of Ceramics, brought to our attention that Mrs. Mondale was Commencement speaker at the University and awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree in 1989. The former “second” lady, whose husband, Walter, was vice president to President Jimmy Carter, was known as “Joan of Art” for her promotion of the fine arts. Mrs. Mondale, a potter, was acquainted with several faculty members from the College of Ceramics; the late Val Cushing, AU ’52, professor emeritus of ceramics, was instrumental in bringing her to campus.

To read a profile of Mrs. Mondale, written upon her death, please visit: